Answer to country's woes lies in 'time-tested values'

Answer to country's woes lies in 'time-tested values'

Rais Hidayat, Research and Development Unit, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

During the latter years of former president Soeharto's rule, it
became apparent that a number of senior figures in the military
were unhappy at his leaning toward politically aspiring Muslim
groups. While this may have been a brilliant move to win over the
disgruntled groups, it was unsettling to the seniors, who were
nervous of "greens" (Muslim-leaning officers) in the supposedly
neutral military.

The tall, lanky figure of former military commander Edi
Sudrajat was such a senior. He was considered a clean figure bent
on military professionalism, in terms of trying to keep the armed
forces "above all groups," according to its creed. Such seniors
were dubbed the "red and white" officers (after the colors of the
flag) for their proclaimed "nationalist" stance, dedicated to
"guarding Pancasila" -- a reference to the state ideology, which
has been interpreted as guarding the nation against trends toward
sectarianism.

The traumatic experience of the past for such "nationalists"
included the armed struggle for an Islamic state in the 1950s.
Soeharto's relations with the upcoming Association of Indonesian
Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI) were seen as too close for comfort.

The intentions of such officers might not have been all
uniform and noble, given the then tough competition for power.
But their "red and white" exterior was aimed at appealing to
others worried about signs of a president favoring Muslim
political groups, which were seeking greater recognition after
years of suppression.

In December 1998, Edi, a retired general, set up the Justice
and Unity Party (PKP), which showed that not all in the military
were adhering to a principle long taken for granted -- that the
military, including retired officers and their entire families,
supported Golkar.

Other Golkar activists joined PKP. But to significantly reduce
Golkar's influence was wishful thinking -- the 1999 polls ended
in PKP securing only 1,065,686 votes, with four legislative seats
representing North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java and East
Java. This achievement put PKP in eighth position, leaving it
ineligible to contest the 2004 election.

On Sept. 9, 2002, a new party, the Indonesian Justice and
Unity Party or PKP Indonesia, was established and it managed to
pass the selection process of the General Elections Commission
(KPU).

It is still questionable whether it would enjoy strong support
even from the Veterans Association (PEPABRI), whose members now
seem to have diverse political affiliations.

The party's young face is represented by secretary-general
Semuel Samson, who is also the secretary-general of a youth
organization formerly affiliated to Golkar (Generasi Muda
Kosgoro).

But it is also Semuel who indicates that the party's outlook
resembles that of the past. In an interview with The Jakarta Post
he explained that the current amendment to the Constitution amid
all the reformist fervor had weakened the very foundations of the
republic.

Yet he did recognize a desire for change -- as long as it was
based on a referendum. He refers to the United States, which
utilizes amendments to its constitution while retaining the
original document, to keep it up to date with the times.

The other parties considered to be "New Order remnants", like
Golkar, try to pay better lip service to "reformist" aspirations
such as constitutional reform.

PKP Indonesia's stance on this issue thus seems to reflect
many people's fears, particularly among those who refer to "the
good old days", that all these wild, "reformist" measures might
be destructive to the nation.

The party's long agenda includes respect for human rights,
clean governance and upholding the unitary republic, like that of
many others'. And it stresses that it is justice that preserves
unity -- although it is not yet clear if its leader, the retired
commander, would have taken a different position on military
operations in Aceh if he had had the chance.

The party's outlook, as described by Samson, also includes its
desire to return to Pancasila as the sole principle in political
life -- while one celebration of the formal end of the New Order
has been the freedom of political parties to state their ideology
other than Pancasila.

Several Muslim-oriented parties now name Islam as their
principal, as Pancasila, as the only permitted principal of
political parties (azas tunggal), had meant nonrecognition or
even suppression of Muslim political aspirations under Soeharto's
rule.

The above examples thus indicate that PKP Indonesia is
attracting to its flock all those who believe in the basic tenets
of the New Order, which they attribute to its stability -- minus
its perpetration of injustice and violations of human rights.

In Semuel's words, the party exists because the "nationalism"
of Golkar has faded; Pancasila propagation courses should be
revived "because Pancasila is our shared foundation as a nation,"
and without it, people would opt for other creeds for the nation,
"which would not suit a pluralist country." More vocal Muslim
groups have led others, including Muslims, to become quite jumpy.

The party founders believe their call appeals to a
considerable number of people, as Semuel says the party has
viable branches in 32 provinces, 416 regencies and cities, and
4,000 districts -- with a total 3.2 million members.

Gen. (ret) Edi may have a low profile nowadays. But as many
seem to share the founders' restlessness, Semuel is optimistic
that 3 percent of the vote and 17 seats in the legislature will
be the party's minimum achievement, making it eligible for the
next election and for joining the race for the presidency.

Outline of PKP Indonesia's platform:

The party's aims to build a nation that is just and united
based on the supremacy of the law.

Its mission includes defending the unitary state of the
Republic based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution; struggling
for a clean government which respects human rights, and a
dignified nation in the international community with the ability
to withstand global competition.

The party's priorities include:

o Developing party members based on merit;

o Providing fertilizer subsidy for farmers;

o Enhancing the development of independent institutions (through

the implementation of the Consumer Protection Law);

o Encouraging improvement in defense and security through

restructuring the Indonesian Military and National Police.